Zorba the Greek ( Alexis Zorba(s)) is a 1964 British-Greek comedy-drama film written, produced, edited, and directed by Cypriot Michael Cacoyannis and starring Anthony Quinn as the title character. Based on the 1946 novel of the same name by Nikos Kazantzakis, the film’s cast includes Alan Bates, Lila Kedrova, Irene Papas, and Sotiris Moustakas.